Zeng leads Jackson boys soccer past Edmonds-Woodway

EDMONDS — Senior Michael Zeng scored twice in the first half to lead Edmonds-Woodway to the victory over Wesco 4A South opponent Jackson.

In the game’s first minute, Zeng split two defenders before receiving a pass from senior Vadim Nagornyy and beating Edmonds-Woodway goalkeeper Griffin Small to put the Timberwolves up 1-0.

“He (Zeng) buried that shot in the first minute, and it was a huge momentum boost going forward,” Jackson head coach Brett Norton said.

Zeng scored again in the 38th minute, receiving a pass from junior Chewy Stoll and burying the shot from 30 yards out. After winning the opening coin toss, Jackson had the wind blowing against their backs, which Norton said was a big factor in the Timberwolves first half success.

“He was phenomenal, he definitely stepped up today,” Norton said of Zeng. “He was playing agaisnt some pretty tough defenders and he was able to hold them off.”

E-W sophomore Edwing Martinez scored in the 42nd minute to give the Warriors their lone goal of the night. The Timberwolves are now 2-0-1 in Wesco league play, with both wins coming on the road.

“All the players and coaches are bought into the system,” Norton said of his team’s early success. “Everyone understands their role and the mission of the team. It’s not about the glory, it’s all about the guts.”